A mini preview of the books we’ll be publishing next month!
CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Basics Creative Photography 03: Behind the Image
Research in Photography
Feb 2012
The third title in AVA’s Basics Creative Photography series, Behind the Image reveals how careful reflection, evaluation and understanding can help you to create dynamic and meaningful photographic projects. Using contemporary and classic examples, this book will introduce you to a range of methods and sources which will help guide your photographic research and development.
The book’s authors – Natasha Caruana and Anna Fox – discuss how looking at historical examples and reading about the work of other photographers will help to keep you informed and inspired. They also discuss how practice informs research, covering topics such as: studios; street photography; style, genre, medium and technique; methods of post production; and editing. This book also looks at different ways of storing your research and photography, including sketchbooks, blogging and digital archives. Each chapter concludes with a practical activity, which will encourage you to develop your photography skills and ideas.
Natasha Caruana is a practising artist, lecturer of photography and founding director of the London-based studioSTRIKE artists’ studios. She is currently a lecturer of photography at the University for the Creative Arts, UK.
Anna Fox has worked in photography for thirty years. Her solo shows have been seen at The Photographer’s Gallery, London, The Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, and her work included in numerous international group shows.
TEXTILE DESIGN
Basics Textile Design 01: Sourcing Ideas
Researching Colour, Surface, Structure, Texture and Pattern
Feb 2012
Sourcing Ideas, the first title in AVA’s Basics Textile Design series, will provide you with a thorough understanding of observation and analysis techniques and the core concepts that are crucial to achieving the best from your textile designs. Sourcing Ideas will guide you through the initial research and ideas-gathering stage of the textile design process, covering topics such as: primary and secondary research; observation techniques; tools for research; design briefs; trend forecasting; and methods for presenting research. This book also discusses in detail how to extract visual information from a variety of sources using five key themes – colour, surface, structure, texture and pattern.
Sourcing Ideas covers print, weave and embellishment and will therefore be of use to all textile designers. The book includes interviews with practising textile designers as well as practical exercises, designed to encourage creativity.
Josephine Steed is a fellow in textile design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee, UK. She has wide experience in constructed textiles, and has produced knitwear collections for many international clients.
Frances Stevenson is the program leader for textile design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. After working for the Crafts Council she set up her own studio, ‘Stevenson’, with whom she exhibited work internationally.
Basics Creative Photography 03: Behind the Image and Basics Textile Design 01: Sourcing Ideas will both be available to buy from the AVA website in February.